Who does the author credit with helping him open up emotionally in the memoir, Undocumented?

Missy is the woman who became the author's partner. She appears only late in the book, coming into his life at the point when he was preparing to move back to America after studying in Europe. She is described as being a social worker, and as moving to California to be with the author while he completed his doctoral studies at Stanford University. The author credits Missy and her influence with helping him open up emotionally, and keep fewer secrets about himself.